Traveller's notes

---

- All major tour operators and hotels in Hurghada and El-Gouna offer daily trips to Al-Mahmya. You can also book your trip directly from Nasser Mazen, Al-Mahmya manager, on +2 012 218 1050 or +2 065 344 9736. Reservations can also be made online at www.mahmya.com.

- The last boat returning to Hurghada is usually at 4.30pm. For special events, Al-Mahmya hosts parties till 7pm. Night stays in the camp are forbidden according to the law. The trip costs 100 euros exclusive of transportation and lunch for foreigners and Egyptians. Egyptians are also offered transportation to and from the island for LE100 without lunch.

- There are plenty of fine accommodations at Hurghada ranging from one- to five- star hotels. Hurghada is best known as a party town. Some even suggest that life in Hurghada begins at night. So as you enjoy the magnificence of nature in its simplest form during the day in Al-Mahmya, go loud and crazy in the dozens of discotheques and clubs scattered in the city at night.

- Hurghada, which was till some years ago just a small fishing village, lies in the centre of, and close to, other resort cities like Soma Bay, Safaga and Marsa Alam to the south and El-Gouna to the north. Together, these resorts and communities offer all what you might want of a vacation, from scuba diving in out-of-this-world sites, to diving among dolphins and huge corals, to windsurfing, parasailing, deep-sea fishing, golfing and bowling.

- Safaris in the Eastern Desert might take up part of your schedule too. Perhaps explore the Red Sea mountains by camel or jeep. Or spend a night or two in the desert for star-gazing. In addition, the many islands scattered around Hurghada make for enjoyable day trips. You might want to try Shedwan, Abu Ramada, Shaab Abu Ramada, Shaab Abu Hashish, Sharm Al-Arab and Abu Minqar islands for diving, snorkelling or fishing. However, these islands are not accessible.